Questions of Jesus (Week 7)
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“Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?”
John 6:1-11 NLT: After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. 2 A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick.3 Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him.4 (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.) 5 Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” 6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!” 8 Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. 9 “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?” 10 “Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted.
If God really loves us, why would he test us with difficult situations?
Testing produces a snapshot of your current location, progress, or belief.
He tested them to help them, not hurt them. He does the same with us. But this testing does not determine his desire or plans to help.
They were honest with Jesus about the severity of the situation.
Their first thought was to get to work to help the situation. Good and bad
In the end, they instead brought to Jesus what little they had.
Exodus 4:1-3 NLT: But Moses protested again, “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The Lord never appeared to you’?” 2 Then the Lord asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A shepherd’s staff,” Moses replied. 3 “Throw it down on the ground,” the Lord told him. So Moses threw down the staff, and it turned into a snake! Moses jumped back.
II Peter 1:3 NIV: 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
This did not mean the disciples didn’t begin working. It meant they did the work that Jesus wanted them to do. Also, it’s the work that actually worked.
Feel stuck? Out of time, resources, hope, or direction? Be honest, don’t try to fix what’s impossible on your own, keep offering the life you have right now to Jesus, and keep working God’s ways, even if you can’t tell how they will make a difference.
Unbeknownst to you, Jesus may already be multiplying bread and fish in your hands.
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. — Book of Common Prayer
